Today’s fast-paced lifestyle makes exercise no longer just a choice, but a goal for millions of people. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete, a weekend runner, or just someone who wants to stay active, tracking your progress is incredibly useful. That’s where trackers come in handy. These days, smartwatches are more than just a timekeeper; they’re like a personal trainer on your wrist, monitoring your workouts, heart rate, sleep, and overall health. In 2025, with so many options available, making the right choice can be tricky. This guide compares the best smartwatches for fitness enthusiasts to help you find the one that best suits your needs and budget.
Why fitness enthusiasts should care about smartwatches
If you love working out, you need to stick with it and track your progress. Smartwatches make it easier to track your workouts, calories burned, and heart health. They motivate you by showing you real results and keep you accountable. Fitness apps are available across multiple devices, allowing you to set goals, track your progress, and even share your results with friends. Smartwatches differentiate themselves from regular fitness trackers by combining workout functionality with everyday features like GPS, reminders, and music streaming.
The Apple Watch Series 10 is the best choice
Apple has long been a leader in smartwatches, and the Apple Watch Series 10 continues that trend. For health enthusiasts looking for a premium look and user-friendly controls, this watch is a perfect choice. It features features like an electrocardiogram (ECG), blood oxygen monitoring, and more accurate sleep tracking, allowing you to better monitor your health.
For fitness enthusiasts, the Series 10 stands out with its comprehensive workout metrics. GPS tracking is perfect for runners, cyclists, and swimmers, while strength trainers can track sets and reps. It’s compatible with Apple Fitness+, creating a complete fitness experience for Apple users. While it’s certainly pricey, those who value accuracy and flexibility will find it worth the price.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is a strong contender for Android users
If you use Android, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is one of the best smartwatches you can buy in 2025. It features accurate heart rate monitoring, VO2 max tracking, and advanced sleep analysis. It’s known for its stylish design and powerful fitness features.
The Galaxy Watch 7 boasts exceptional battery life: up to three days on a single charge, something Apple struggles to match. It offers a variety of fitness modes, from yoga to high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and built-in GPS lets you track your outdoor activities. For Android fitness enthusiasts looking for speed and value, the Galaxy Watch 7 is an excellent choice.
Meet the Garmin Forerunner 965: Built for athletes
Garmin has always been a favorite among athletes, and the Forerunner 965 is designed specifically for them. Garmin smartwatches stand out from the crowd by focusing on training techniques and performance data. The Forerunner 965 boasts advanced features like VO2 max, a fitness score, rest time reminders, and even real-time energy tracking during exercise. It’s used by many runners, cyclists, and triathletes who need comprehensive data to improve their performance. The battery life is excellent; depending on usage, it can last up to two weeks. While it may not be ideal for everyday use, it tracks your health better and more thoroughly than any other device.
Fitbit Sense 3: Ideal for Beginners in Health and Fitness
The Fitbit Sense 3 is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to track their activity and improve their overall health. With its simple, easy-to-understand design and app, Fitbit remains an excellent choice for beginners or recreational exercisers.
The Sense 3 tracks your heart rate, stress level, sleep quality, and workout performance. It’s less intimidating than some more expensive models, making it perfect for fitness beginners. The Fitbit app provides easy-to-understand reports, keeping you motivated without feeling overwhelmed. While the watch doesn’t offer the extensive workout data of Apple or Garmin, health-conscious users appreciate its ease of use and affordable price.
What should you choose?
Apple Watch Series 10: This is the best choice for Apple users who want a premium look, smart health features, and simple platform interaction.
For Android users looking for an activity tracker with long battery life, the Samsung Galaxy Watch is the best choice.
FAQs
1. Does the tracker actually track your workouts?
Most high-end trackers, such as those from Apple, Samsung, and Garmin, are excellent for tracking your daily fitness. However, the watch’s accuracy varies depending on the type of workout and how you wear it.
Can I use the tracker without connecting it to a phone?
Yes, many smartwatches these days have built-in GPS and music playback. But connecting to a smartphone makes them more useful and allows you to sync information with sports apps.
3. Which smartwatch is best for running?
Many consider the Garmin Forerunner 965 the best for runners because of its better performance data and longer battery life.
4. Can a fitness device be used for swimming?
Yes, most current devices, such as the Apple Watch Series 10 and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7, are water resistant and can track your swimming stats.
5. Are budget smartwatches suitable for tracking your fitness?
Yes, many budget-friendly options are fine for basic tracking. More expensive models offer more accurate measurements and advanced features, which can potentially benefit serious fitness enthusiasts.
In short
Smartwatches have become essential training tools thanks to their versatile functionality, from tracking steps to providing detailed performance data. The best choices for 2025 are the high-end Apple Watch Series 10 and the fitness-focused Garmin Forerunner 965. Samsung and Fitbit also make excellent watches. The right smartwatch for you depends on your health goals, lifestyle, and financial situation. Choosing the right device can help you track your workouts, stay motivated, and maintain them. This will help you stay healthy in the long run.
Whether you want to set new personal bests, reduce stress, or simply stay active, there’s a tracker for everyone.